Insurance Archives - Vic-Locks Security

Does Insurance Cover a Locksmith?

Vic Locks Security — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:08:25 +0000

Does insurance cover a locksmith?

It depends on why you need one. Insurance will often help with the cost of replacing or recoding locks after a break-in or when your keys are stolen, because that is an insured event. It is much less likely to cover a simple lockout, a lost set of keys, or a lock that has simply worn out. Nearly every policy applies limits, an excess and conditions.

That is the honest, general answer.

Insurance policies vary widely across providers and product tiers, so please treat everything below as background information rather than advice on your particular cover. Your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and your insurer are the only sources that can tell you what you are actually covered for. We are locksmiths, not insurance advisers.

With that said, here is how it typically works and the questions worth asking.

When does insurance usually cover a locksmith?

The pattern across most home policies comes down to a single question: was there an insured event? A theft or a break-in is an insured event. Losing your keys at the pub, or pulling the door shut behind you with the keys on the bench, generally is not.

Situation	Typical likelihood of cover	What to check in your policy
Break-in, with a lock or door damaged	Commonly covered as part of the claim	Whether lock repair and replacement is included, and the claim limit
Keys stolen (theft, mugging, burglary)	Often covered, and many insurers state a specific limit for replacing or recoding external locks	The cap per incident, the excess, and whether a police report number is required
Keys lost or misplaced	Less likely, and some policies cover stolen keys but not lost ones	Whether “lost” keys are named separately from “stolen” keys
Locked out (keys inside, no damage)	Usually not covered as a claim, though some policies include an emergency assistance service	Whether your policy has home emergency assistance, and what it actually pays for
Lock worn out or failed with age	Generally not covered, as wear and tear is a standard exclusion	The maintenance and wear-and-tear exclusions

The practical takeaway is that cover follows the crime, not the inconvenience. If someone has taken your keys or forced your door, you have a reasonable case to look into. If you have simply locked yourself out, expect to pay for the callout yourself, and our Melbourne cost guide will tell you what that should look like:

👉 How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Melbourne?
👉 Do Locksmiths Charge Call-Out Fees in Melbourne?

Does home insurance cover a locksmith?

Often, in the right circumstances. Many Australian home and contents policies include cover for replacing or recoding the locks on external doors and windows if your keys are stolen, up to a stated limit that varies by insurer and policy tier. Some policies also offer an emergency assistance service, which can send a tradesperson (a locksmith among them) when something sudden and unforeseen leaves the home insecure.

What is far less commonly covered is the everyday stuff: lost keys, a standard lockout, or a lock that has simply given up after twenty years. Those tend to sit outside the policy, and where cover does exist, it is often an optional add-on rather than a default inclusion.

Three things worth knowing before you assume either way:

“Stolen” and “lost” are not the same word to an insurer. Some policies cover one and not the other.
There is usually a limit and an excess. If the excess is close to the cost of the job, claiming may not be worth it.
Who lost the keys can matter. Some policies only cover the policyholder and immediate household.

Does business insurance cover a locksmith?

For commercial premises, cover is more commonly available, but it is still rarely automatic. Some business insurance products include locksmith or lock replacement costs, and others offer it as an option you need to select rather than something included by default.

If you run a business and access control matters to you (multiple doors, staff keys, a restricted key system), it is worth raising locksmith and lock replacement cover with your broker or insurer directly, and reviewing it alongside your physical security setup:

👉 Business Locksmith Services

The general principle holds here too: a claim is far more likely to succeed when the locksmith work follows a break-in, theft or attempted forced entry, rather than an everyday lockout.

How to protect a potential claim

If something has happened and you think you may have a claim, a few practical steps make life easier. In our experience, these are the things people wish they had known at the time.

Report a theft or break-in to the police and get a report or event number. Some policies will not consider a stolen-keys claim without one.
Contact your insurer before authorising work where the situation safely allows it. Some insurers prefer to arrange the locksmith themselves or require an approved one.
Use a qualified locksmith. A poorly fitted lock can leave your home insecure and can undermine a future claim if a break-in follows.
Keep the invoice and take photos of the damage before the work is done.
Secure the property first if it is unsafe. Your safety comes before the paperwork, and most insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss.

If you are not sure whether a lock has actually been tampered with, this guide covers the signs:

👉 How to Tell if a Lock Has Been Tampered With

Locksmith and lock replacement help in Kew and greater Melbourne

Whether or not your insurer covers the bill, the first priority after a theft or break-in is making your home or business secure again. VicLocks works across Kew and greater Melbourne on lock repairs, replacements, rekeying and emergency callouts, and we can provide a clear invoice for your insurer if you decide to claim.

👉 Residential Security Services

Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297, and we will get your property secure first.

This article is general information only and is not insurance or financial advice. Cover varies between policies, and your PDS and your insurer are the only reliable guides to what you are covered for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does home insurance cover a locksmith?

Sometimes, depending on the circumstances. Many Australian home policies cover replacing or recoding external locks when keys are stolen, up to a set limit, and some include an emergency assistance service. Lost keys and everyday lockouts are far less likely to be covered. Check your PDS or ask your insurer.

Does insurance cover lost keys?

Often not, and this is the distinction that catches people out. A number of policies cover keys that are stolen but exclude keys that are simply lost or misplaced. The wording in your policy matters, so it is worth reading how it defines each.

Will insurance cover a locksmith if I lock myself out?

Usually not as a claim, because no insured event has occurred and there is no theft or damage. Some policies include a home emergency assistance service that may help, but for a standard lockout, you should expect to pay the callout yourself.

Does insurance cover lock replacement after a break-in?

This is the strongest case for cover. Damage to locks and doors during a break-in is commonly included as part of a burglary claim, subject to your limit and excess. Report it to police, photograph the damage, and keep the locksmith's invoice.

Should I call my insurer or a locksmith first?

If the property is insecure or you are unsafe, make it secure first. Otherwise, it is worth contacting your insurer before authorising work, since some prefer to arrange or approve the locksmith. Always use a qualified locksmith, because a badly fitted lock can affect a future claim.

Does business insurance cover a locksmith?

More often than home insurance does, but it is still frequently an option rather than a default inclusion. If lock and key security matters to your premises, raise it specifically with your broker or insurer rather than assuming it is covered.

The post Does Insurance Cover a Locksmith? appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

When Should You Change or Rekey Your Locks?

Vic Locks Security — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:54:06 +0000

Most of us don’t think twice about our locks until something goes wrong.

Whether you have recently moved into a new house, experienced a security scare, or cannot remember when the locks were last changed, it is a smart question to ask: how often should you update or rekey your locks?

Just like smoke alarms and home insurance, your locks play a crucial role in your property’s security, but they are often overlooked.

Many Melbourne homeowners and businesses only replace or rekey their locks reactively, i.e., after a break-in or when a key is lost. But this can leave you exposed to preventable risks.

We’re going to break down:

When and why locks should be changed
How often they should be changed in homes vs commercial properties
And, when rekeying may be enough instead of a full replacement

We will also offer insight into best practices from our professional locksmiths, right here in Melbourne, so you can make an informed decision about your property’s security.

Let’s start at the beginning…

When Should You Change Your Locks?

There are several moments in life when changing your locks is not just a good idea — it is essential for your security. Whether you are a homeowner, landlord, or business operator, knowing when to act can prevent unwanted access, protect your property, and ensure peace of mind.

Here are the most common situations where a full lock change is strongly recommended:

After a Break-In or Attempted Break-In

If your property has been broken into, or there are clear signs of tampering, you should change your locks. Intruders may have damaged the internal mechanism or duplicated your key. A new lock ensures they cannot return.

When Moving into a New Home or Office

Even if the previous occupants handed over the keys, there is no way to know how many copies exist or who may still have one. Replacing the locks gives you complete control over who can access your property.

We have a great article about that here: Do I need to rekey or replace my locks after moving house?

After Tenant Turnover in Rental Properties

For landlords and property managers, changing locks between tenants is good practice. It reduces liability and ensures new tenants start with a secure, private space.

Some property owners opt for rekeying, but we’d recommend a full replacement if the locks are old or worn.

If Keys Are Lost or Stolen

Losing a key poses an immediate security risk especially if it was stolen or dropped near your address. Do not assume it is harmless.

When Locks Are Damaged or Worn Out

Locks wear down over time. If your key is sticking, turning roughly, or the mechanism feels loose, it might be time for an upgrade. Old or rusted locks are easier to force open and may fail altogether when you least expect it.

When Upgrading to a Smart Lock or High-Security System

Many homeowners and businesses now opt for smart locks, keypad entry, or high-security deadbolts. These offer better protection and offer access logs, remote control, and integration with other systems.

Should You Replace or Rekey Your Locks?

You have two options: rekeying or replacing your locks. Both approaches improve safety, but the right choice depends on your situation.

Rekeying – Rekeying involves changing the internal pin configuration of the lock so old keys no longer work. A locksmith will dismantle the lock cylinder, reset the pins, and provide you with a new set of keys.

Rekeying is ideal when:

You’ve recently moved and want a quick, cost-effective option
You’ve lost a key but trust the lock’s integrity
You want multiple locks to work on the same key (keyed alike)
There’s no visible damage or wear to the current lock hardware

It’s faster and more affordable than full replacement, and it retains the same lock body and design.

For more detail, see our guide to rekeying vs replacing your locks after moving house

Replacing the Locks – Replacing a lock means swapping out the entire mechanism, including the housing, cylinder, and faceplate. This is often the best option when:

The lock is damaged or worn
You’re upgrading to a more secure system (e.g., smart locks or restricted key systems)
You want to change the style or finish for aesthetic reasons

Lock replacement is more comprehensive and allows you to modernise your hardware while resetting access control.

Keep your property secure

At VicLocks, we work with homeowners, renters, landlords, and business owners across Melbourne, particularly in Kew and the eastern suburbs.

Your locks are the first line of defence.

Whether you need a rekey to reset access or a full replacement to upgrade security, acting before there’s a problem is smarter (and cheaper) than dealing with a break-in after the fact.

Not sure what you need? Let us help.

We offer:

On-site assessments
Lock replacement and rekeying services
Emergency lockout assistance

📞 Contact us today for an honest, local opinion. No pressure, just helpful advice from Melbourne’s trusted locksmiths.

The post When Should You Change or Rekey Your Locks? appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.